Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Institutional racism in Met is 'worse now,' claims ex-chief superintendent Parm Sandhu

Institutional racism in Met is 'worse now,'  claims ex-chief superintendent Parm Sandhu

INSTITUTIONAL racism in Metropolitan police is “worse now” than what it was 20 years ago, Parm Sandhu, one of the UK’s former most senior female Asian police officers has claimed, adding that the Met is “not a safe environment for black and Asian officers".

“Institutional racism exists in the Metropolitan Police, and it’s alive and kicking and is worse now than straight after the Macpherson Inquiry,” the former chief superintendent told Channel 4 News on Tuesday (1), referring to the investigation by William Macpherson after the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. It concluded that the Met police was "institutionally racist".


“If you’re a black officer, you’re about three times more likely to be investigated internally,” said Sandhu, who herself faced misconduct charges for lobbying on her own behalf to receive a Queen’s police medal. She was cleared after an investigation last year.

Speaking for the first time on-air since taking her employers to a tribunal and agreeing on a disclosed settlement, Sandhu (who has now left the force) said her 30-year career was marred by alleged repeated sexism and racism.

She also accused Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick of being “far removed from reality” and said that the Met police has gone “backwards” on equality on her watch.

Sandhu also criticised the Met chief’s idea of increasing the recruitment of BAME people in the force using positive discrimination, saying hiring was not an issue, rather than people of colour joining the police service are being “forced out or are leaving because it’s too difficult.”

 

“It’s that revolving door she needs to stop.”

 

Sandhu’s allegations about the Met Police came as the Home Office reportedly rejected the idea of “positive discrimination” to increase more BAME recruits in the force to fill in the race gap in the police.

Sandhu also recalled how at one time a member of the public racially abused her while she was on patrol, after which a fellow officer intervened only to tell her abuser, “Only we’re allowed to call her a P***.”

Sandhu is the only non-white female to have been promoted through the ranks from constable to chief superintendent in the Met's entire history. Her memoir 'Black and Blue: One Woman’s Story of Policing and Prejudice ' is set to publish next week.

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less